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CLOSE: (Above) The four families break fast at Madam Rozana's (in glasses at window) home almost every day. TNP PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR, JEREMY LONG

Every Ramadan, Madam Rozana Anuar's extended family of 22 who live nearby will gather every evening at her ground-floor maisonette in Pasir Ris to break their fast. When Hari Raya comes around, the festivities get even bigger.

This family is so close, all 22 members break fast at matriarch's home almost every day during Ramadan

The four families break fast at Madam Rozana’s (in glasses at window) home almost every day. TNP PHOTOS

Mr Rizal said: "Sometimes I will hear my son shout, 'Daddy, can you please throw a ball down?'"

It was a conscious decision that the extended family made to live in the same neighbourhood.

Madam Rozana's family moved into the maisonette first, in 2002, followed by her sister-in-law's family a few months later.

Food is set out buffet-style and relatives take what they want.TNP PHOTOS

In 2006, her other sister-in-law's family moved in.

Mr Rizal moved into a nearby block in 2007, but 2½ years later, he moved to his current flat to be closer to his parents.

Part of his decision to join this "kampung" in Pasir Ris - he used to live in Bedok and Tampines - stemmed from his own childhood experience.

"I spent a few years of my childhood in a kampung in Kaki Bukit. I was there till about six or seven years old. Old enough to know how it felt like back then," he told TNP.

Adding that it would be a heathy environment for his children, two sons aged eight and 10, to grow up in, Mr Rizal said: "I think kids nowadays can be in a bubble of sorts. Most of their interactions are through social media or YouTube on their iPads."

Another perk of living close together is not having to plan family events.

"We can have spontaneous sleepovers or movie nights with our cousins," said Ms Masyita, 33, who is a teacher.

Madam Rozana's cooking skills are a bonus that everyone in the extended family appreciates.

"My neighbours are used to seeing me carry plates of food in the lift," Mr Rizal said with a grin.

TNP PHOTOS

Madam Nazrah, a primary school teacher, said she asks her mother-in-law for help whenever she has to cater food for school events.

"My excuse for not learning to cook is that she is too good at cooking," she added.

This family does not deny that they have had their share of squabbles, but Madam Rozana said it is much like any other family.

The more important thing is that nobody takes this closeness for granted.

TNP PHOTOS

"Even though we live so close to each other, we don't take it for granted. Each time we meet, we can talk and talk," she said.

Mr Rizal said: "Having meals together every day may seem like a small thing to others, but to us, it's very special."

He added: "They say familiarity breeds contempt. But I think for us, it's really the opposite."

"I spent a few years of my childhood in a kampung in Kaki Bukit. I was there till about six or seven years old. Old enough to know how it felt like back then". - Mr Rizal on reliving the kampung spiritTNP PHOTOS

Having meals together every day may seem like a small thing to others, but to us, it's very special.